We're dividing 542171 by 45 
We want to figure out the number of times 542171 can be divided by 45.

Advancing to step 1:
45 can be fit into 5 0 times, resulting in a remainder of 5.
Use 0 as the next digit of our solution. 
Result so far: 0.0
Subtract 0 from 5 to get 5.
Append the next digit (4) from the dividend to 5 and continue with: 54 / 45

Step 2:
The number 45 fits into 54 1 times, leaving a remainder of 9.
Use 1 as the next digit of our solution. 
Result so far: 1.0
If we subtract 45 from 54, we get 9.
Include the next digit (2) from the dividend after 9, then repeat: 92 / 45

On to step 3:
45 can be fit into 92 2 times, resulting in a remainder of 2.
Write down 2 as next digit of the result. 
Result so far: 12.0
Subtracting 90 from 92 leaves us with 2.
Fetch the next digit (1) from the dividend, attach it to 2 and continue: 21 / 45

Going ahead to step 4:
45 goes into 21 0 times with a remainder of 21.
The next digit of our result is 0. 
Result so far: 120.0
The remainder is 21 after subtracting 0 from 21.
Append the next digit (7) from the dividend to 21 and continue with: 217 / 45

Going ahead to step 5:
If we divide 217 by 45, we get 4 and a remainder of 37.
The number 4 becomes the next digit in our result. 
Result so far: 1204.0
If we subtract 180 from 217, we get 37.
Append the next digit (1) from the dividend to 37 and continue with: 371 / 45

Let's proceed to step 6:
45 can be fit into 371 8 times, resulting in a remainder of 11.
Write down 8 as next digit of the result. 
Result so far: 12048.0
The remainder is 11 after subtracting 360 from 371.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 110, and continue the process.

Advancing to step 7:
110 divided by 45 is 2 with a remainder of 20.
Use 2 as the next digit of our solution. 
Result so far: 12048.2
If we subtract 90 from 110, we get 20.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 200, and continue the process.

Step 8:
45 goes into 200 4 times with a remainder of 20.
Put 4 as the next digit of the answer. 
Result so far: 12048.24
If we take 180 away from 200, we end up with 20.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 200, and continue the process.

Let's proceed to step 9:
45 goes into 200 4 times with a remainder of 20.
Put 4 as the next digit of the answer. 
Result so far: 12048.244
If we subtract 180 from 200, we get 20.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 200, and continue the process.

The final outcome is 12048.244, with a leftover of 0.002.